St. Peter s Evangelical Lutheran Church Founded 1856 1343 Penniman Avenue Plymouth, MI 48170 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod April 29, 2018 The Fifth Sunday of Easter Confirmation Sunday
Service Notes - The following psalms in the front of the hymnal (page 64f) will aid you in your meditation before receiving the Lord s Supper: Psalms 34, 42-43, 51, 84, 116, 150. Prayers for preparation for worship are on pages 10 and 11 in the hymnal. A form for preparation for Communion is on page 156. - Please sign the friendship registry in the pews before the service or during the offering. If you have a prayer request or would like Pastor Schaefer to visit or call you, please note your request. Holy Communion will be celebrated today. Our guests are kindly asked to note that it is our practice to first become a member of our communion fellowship before communing with us. Please speak to our pastor about becoming a member of our communion fellowship. Special piano preservice music: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing THE COMMON SERVICE (page 15) OPENING HYMN: #342 Amid the World s Bleak Wilderness STAND M: In the name of the Father and of (+) the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
CONFESSION OF SINS M: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. LORD, HAVE MERCY (Kyrie) M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. PRAYER AND PRAISE
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE DAY M: The Lord be with you. M: Let us pray. O God, you form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you command and desire what you promise, that among the many changes of this world, our hearts may ever yearn for the lasting joys of heaven; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. BE SEATED THE WORD FIRST LESSON: Acts 8:26-40 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to
Philip, Go over and join this chariot. 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, Do you understand what you are reading? 31 And he said, How can I, unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth. 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized? 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. PSALM OF THE DAY: Psalm 67 The choir will sing May the Peoples Praise You, O God 1989 Concordia Publishing House, all rights reserved. OneLicense.net Licenses A-722670 and R-101103. Refrain: May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us. (Refrain) May your ways be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. (Refrain) May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. (Refrain) Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. (Refrain) God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him. (Refrain) SECOND LESSON: 1 John 3:18-24 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. VERSE OF THE DAY (sung by the choir) Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord. Alleluia. (John 14:6) STAND After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:
GOSPEL: John 15:1-8 15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. BE SEATED GOSPEL RESPONSE: Christ is the Vine. 2011 Morningstar Music Publishers, all rights reserved. One License.net Licenses A-722670 and R-101103. Refrain: Christ is the vine, we are the branches, growing in unity with each new strand. Christ is the vine, we are the branches, nurtured and pruned by the Vinegrower s hand. The vine which God is tending is bursting with new life. Its reach is never-ending, while pruned with sharpest knife. It stretches to the sunshine with yearning born of need, And bears good fruit for new wine, love born from tiny seed. (Refrain)
The vine was born in darkness and from the earth it grew: A rose pure in its starkness, caressed by Spirit dew. As Moses once saw branches with holy brightness glow, We see our spreading branches through all creation grow. (Refrain) And we who twine together are rooted in the Vine. With love in Christ we gather to share the bread and wine. In Christ we are abiding, we grow within God s care And spread this joyful tiding to people everywhere. (Refrain) HYMN OF THE DAY: #168 With High Delight Let Us Unite SERMON STAND PSALM 51 RESPONSE (page 20) BE SEATED
THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION Received into communicant membership by the Rite of Confirmation Katherine Johanna Beckerman Ephesians 2:8,9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. Nicholas Scott Hoffman John 8:31-32 If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. OFFERING STAND PRAYER OF THE CHURCH FOR THE EASTER SEASON (page 124) M: O Lord God, our strength, our song, and our salvation, you fulfilled your promises by the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead. C: Thanks be to God! You give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. M: In your compassion you sent Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life to rescue the lost. C: Drive out all doubt and gloom that we may delight in your glorious triumph. M: Lift our eyes heavenward to see him who lives to make intercession for the saints, and grant us confidence in the
greatness of his power. Keep before us the vision of your redeemed people standing before your throne and singing the song of victory. C: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive wisdom and power and honor and glory and praise. M: Make us instruments of your peace as we bring the good news of hope and new life to those around us. Guide us in the use of all that you have entrusted to us: our time, our talents, and our treasures. C: Risen Lord, live in us that we may live for you. M: Merciful Lord Jesus, grant healing to the sick, and strengthen the faith of the suffering and the dying. Assure them of your abiding presence, and comfort them with the hope of eternal life. Special prayers and intercessions may follow. M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions. Silent prayer. M: Gracious Father, you have restored to us the joy of your salvation. With happy hearts, we come before you and say: C: Alleluia! Thanks be to God! Amen. 1999 Northwestern Publishing House. Reprinted by permission. LORD S PRAYER
C: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from (+) evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. PREFACE M: The Lord be with you. THE SACRAMENT M: Lift up your hearts. M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and
everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and we praise you especially for the glorious resurrection of your Son, the true Passover Lamb, who by his sacrifice took away the sins of the world and by his resurrection restored everlasting life. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (Sanctus) WORDS OF INSTITUTION
M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my (+) body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; this is the new testament in my (+) blood, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. M: The peace (+) of the Lord be with you always. O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD (Agnus Dei)
BE SEATED DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION HYMNS: #497 This is My Will #761 Christ is With Me (See next page.)
OneLicense.net License A-722670
STAND THANKSGIVING (page 24) SONG OF SIMEON (Nunc Dimittis) M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. O God the Father, source of all goodness, in your loving kindness you sent your Son to share our humanity. We thank you that through him you have given us pardon and peace in this sacrament. We also pray that you will not forsake us but will rule our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit so that we willingly serve you day after day, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
M: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace. The Common Service 1993 Northwestern Publishing House, all rights reserved. OneLicense.net License A-722670. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. OFFICIANTS: Preacher and Celebrant: Pastor Paul Schaefer Communion Assistants: Dan Lanning and Ron Bude Organist: Mrs. Jan Jacobi; Piano: Kimberly Beckerman Choir: Senior Choir; Clarinet: Nancy Winkler THIS WEEK AT ST. PETER S Today Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday - 9:30 AM Divine Service -10:45 AM Confirmation Reception Brunch - 7:00 PM Board of Education/Stewardship and Board of Trustees Meetings - 8:00 PM Church Council Meeting - 9:00 AM Bible Class - 7:00 PM Senior Choir practice - 10:30 AM Bateson Baptism - 9:30 AM Divine Service - 10:45 AM Adult Bible Class and Sunday School - 6:00 PM Good Shepherd Novi Lecture Series Serving next week: Altar Guild Diane Wendland; Ushering Team 3 Altar flowers are presented to the glory of God and in honor of today s confirmands. A special vase is given to the glory of God and in honor of Tyler Cording s birthday, by his family.
Roots Montessori Update: A congregational meeting was held on Sunday to discuss the proposed leasing of space in our school to Roots. Discussions centered around the information available regarding the nature of Christian values-based education as well as if we should accept funds from a non-wels organization. Questions were also answered regarding the details of the proposed usage by Roots and suggestions provided by the congregation to church leadership. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Voters in attendance voted unanimously to proceed with negotiating a lease with Roots. Our leadership informed Roots of our decision and they have published our school address as the intended location of their school beginning this fall. We are looking for men and women to help us in working with Roots on a go-forward basis by joining what we are calling the Leasing Committee. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Schaefer, Howard Alaniva, Scott Beckerman, or Dick Cording. Spring Work Bee: The annual Spring Work Bee is approaching! This year s Bee is planned for May 12, with a rain date of May 19. Please join us to help spruce up our properties. Bring yard tools to use (remember to mark them with your name) and don t forget your gloves. The majority of the work will be outside clean-up. Confirmation Reception Brunch: All are invited to a potluck brunch honoring our confirmands today, April 29, following the Divine Service. Please bring a dish to share and join these young people in celebrating a milestone in their Christian life. SUNDAY NIGHT BIBLE SERIES Jesus is one of the most written about and debated figures in the world. We will have an eight-part series, entitled JESUS Legend or Lord?, in which we will view a DVD segment followed by questions & answers and discussion. Along the journey, we look back to the world that Jesus himself saw as he moved toward the cross. Hosted by Good Shepherd (41415 W. 9 Mile Road) in Novi, the next session will be on Sunday, May 6. The focus will be regarding the infancy narratives of Jesus. Each monthly Bible session begins at 6:00 PM. These are intended to be interactive discussions as well as informational. Desserts and snacks will be served. All are welcome.
PASTORAL CARE & MERCY Please remember with prayers, cards and visits those whose needs have been reported. The Pastoral Staff Church Office: 734-453-3393 www.splp.org stpeterlutheran@hotmail.com Pastor: Rev. Paul Schaefer Pastor s Cellphone: 734-658-5735 Pastor s email: Peschaef5@gmail.com Music Director: Jan Jacobi Church Secretary: Carol Schwartz St. Peter s Preschool Rebecca Lohrmann, Director Michigan Lutheran Seminary (Saginaw) 989-793-1041 Huron Valley Lutheran High School (Westland) 734-525-0160 Congregation Chairman: Scott Beckerman Vice Chairman: Bruce Winkler Secretary: open Treasurer: Seth Anderson Financial Secretary: Steve Jacobi, Curtis Krallman Board Chairmen: Elders: Jim Cutler Trustees: Howard Alaniva Stewardship/Education: Richard Cording